Vertical Planting by David Domoney

1 May 2020

Your fences and walls are an extension of your garden. Think of it as a box and fold down the sides to see the abundance of space that you have to work with. The possibilities of planting upward are endless and the sky’s the limit!
 

Wonder-Wall

Give your borders the most beautiful backdrop and add character to your space. If your garden vision is that of a traditional rose walled garden with a cottage feel to it, then why not consider York 'Cottage Walling' which replicates that established, worn appearance, but with rounded edges to add a soft backdrop to your borders. You can even grow some charming climbers up the wall, such as Clematis ‘Frances Rivis’ which will offer violet-blue flowers through spring and summer.
 

Not only will climbers add colour to your vertical space but can add some delightful fragrances too. One of my favourites is Trachelospermum jasminoides (star jasmine), with its evergreen foliage for interest all year round, joined in summer by clusters of delicate white flowers that bring a heavenly aroma. Climbing up walls means they’ll be at the perfect height for you to experience the fragrance whenever you walk by.
 

Climbing Crops

 

Alternatively, you can save space and use your wall to grow productively by training some fruit trees to grow flat against the surface. Espalier apple and pear trees are suitable for this method, just ensure they are a variety that bears short fruiting spurs. Not only will these provide crops fresh for picking in summer and autumn, but they will blossom beautifully in spring.

You could always grow crops vertically in containers is another option to utilise all dimensions of your garden. Bush tomatoes grow brilliantly in hanging baskets and look lovely trailing over the edge of the basket. In addition, strawberries are great for window boxes which are at the perfect height for picking, as long as they have sun, shelter and well-drained soil, they will thrive.
 

Grown-Up

 

Living walls are a great option to bring some greenery to a small space, rather than using up any valuable floor space. For a clean-cut, contemporary look to your garden, Pavestone’s Moodul walling is fantastically functional. The modular building blocks create a modern structure that you can even add further features such as shelves, seating or flower boxes making it the perfect canvas for a living wall.
 

Having the balance of modern walls and greenery will have a great impact. You can create a vertical blanket of colour and texture that has a year-round interest by choosing the right selection of plants. It’s not just about fuchsias and geraniums in summer, think about all year round. Cyclamen coum will add pink and purple hues to your wall in winter and spring in the spots that are partially sheltered. Whilst evergreens like common ivy will provide colour through autumnal seasons with small yellow flowers, followed by black berries in the winter.
 

 

Perfect Partitions
 

The wall space isn’t just what is around the perimeter of your garden. Many gardens are sectioned using low walls, which can be pretty and practical. Pavestone’s Moodul walling is easy to adapt to different heights like this. You can finish off your garden walls using coping and pier caps to accentuate the partition and make it more of a feature.

 

 

Why not wall off an area featuring a bistro set for relaxing and dining, surrounded by containers full of herbs, rock rose and geraniums to achieve a Mediterranean style garden. If you have an elevated walled area, incorporate mosaics into the paving steps for some unique and colourful character.

 

 

Alternatively, a pergola can section off a cosy hideaway space for relaxation and is also another perfect spot to grow some climbers for that added privacy. The purple trumpet blooms of Ipomoea purpurea will appear from June to August and are known to attract bees and other pollinators, the rest of the year it will offer attractive green foliage.

 

 

Your garden can become a structural sensation by taking advantage of the vertical space you have, whether that is trellises, walls, fences or the side of a shed. Even if you don’t have much space to spare, you can be productive and smart with your space for great results.

Why not have a look at this trailer by David Domoney on Slate Stack Walling?
 

 

There are many more videos featured here should you wish tom explore them.

David Domoney, TV gardener, horticultural expert and Pavestone brand ambassador blogs monthly on the Pavestone website on all things landscaping related. We look forward to seeing you back again next month.
 

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